Hopes for an imminent end to the Gaza conflict are fading, with renewed violence bringing new casualties. Israel and Hamas blame each other after eight children were killed and 46 others injured by a missile that landed in a Gaza refugee camp playground.

Monday was marred by renewed violence in war-torn Gaza, where the
Israeli operation against Hamas has been ongoing for three weeks.
The violence came as Muslims around the globe celebrated one of
their religion's biggest holidays – Eid-ul-Fitr, the end of the
holy month of Ramadan.

A massive explosion rocked a public garden in northern Gaza,
killing eight children and two adults and injuring 46 others,
according to Palestinian medics. A health official at nearby
Shifa Hospital said the children were playing on a swing when the
strike hit the park in the beachfront Shati refugee camp on the
edge of Gaza City, AP reported.

“The children were playing and were happy, enjoying Eid, and
they got hit. Some lost their heads, others their legs and
hands,” eyewitness Nidal Aljerbi said.

The refugee camp park was attacked just minutes after Shifa
Hospital's outpatient clinic was hit by another strike, causing
more casualties.

The World Health Organization said in a statement that it was
“appalled by the continuing trend for health-care facilities,
staff and vehicles to come under direct fire in Gaza” since the
escalation of violence on July 8."

“The Organization calls on all parties and individuals to
respect and protect the integrity of health systems, and assure
the safety of patients, health workers and health-care
facilities,” it said.

Local residents have blamed the Israeli military for the
airstrikes. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), however, denied
involvement, saying that “Al-Shifa Hospital and Al-Shati
Refugee Camp were struck by failed rocket attacks launched by
Gaza terrorists.”

With at least 44 Palestinians killed and 12 earlier victims’
bodies recovered from the rubble on Monday, the overall death
toll of the Israeli military offensive has increased to at least
1,088, Ma’an news agency reported. Meanwhile, the Israeli death
toll has exceeded 50, with five more IDF troops killed in combat
and Hamas cross-border mortar fire.

In addition, four IDF soldiers were killed along the Gaza
border today as a result of mortar fire. Their families have
been notified.

Also on Monday, gunfire broke out after Palestinian fighters
slipped into Israel via a tunnel near Nahal Oz, a kibbutz
collective village east of Gaza City. There have been conflicting
reports on the incident. While the IDF said it thwarted the
attack and “killed one of the terrorists,” Hamas claimed
it had killed 10 Israeli soldiers and returned home safely.

Following the infiltration, the Israeli army advised Palestinians
to flee their homes in areas around Gaza City, which is normally
done in preparation for strikes.

“Phone calls were made and text messages were sent out to the
civilian population of Shuja’iyya, Zeitoun and eastern Jabalia,
calling them to evacuate themselves immediately towards central
Gaza city,” the IDF said.

In a televised address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu said the country has to be prepared for a
“prolonged” campaign.

“We will continue to act with force and discretion until our
mission is accomplished,” Netanyahu said, adding that
Israeli troops will not leave Gaza until they have destroyed
Hamas' tunnel network.